Improvement in paper files and binders



Patented Sepcember 2, 1873.

KEEGH.

Paper-Files and Binders.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LAWSON P. KEEOH, OF BROOKLYN, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO JAMES PHELAN, OF

SAME PLACE.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 142,546, dated September 2, 1873 application led February 1, 1873.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LAWSON P. KEEcH, of Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented an Improvement in Paper File and Binder, of which the following is a specification:

This'improvement is made for connecting the covers together in such a manner that they can be freely extended or drawn apart, or else pressed toward each other to retain the contents. I make use of hinged bars, connecting one cover to the other, which bars, at the same time, serve to retain the contents of the file between the covers. The binders are made of sheets or strips of strong paper perforated with holes corresponding in positions, so that the said sheets or strips may be threaded upon cords or strings, and thus bound into a volume,

together with the letters or papers that are attached to such sheets or strips by mucilage or other adhesive material applied to the edges thereof. By this improvement the use of an awl to perforate the papers is dispensed with, and the sheets or strips can be threaded and unthreaded with great facility for removing or inserting any paper or letter.

In the drawing, Figure lis an end elevation. Fig. 2 is a view of the back of the le. Fig. 3 is a side and edge view of the sheet employed in binding up the papers, letters, Ste.; and Fig. et is a view of the perforated strip.

The cover a is of suitable size, and the cover b and its flap c correspond in size to the same. When the flap cis turned back access is given for freely examining the contents of the tile previous to opening the file to fully examine the binder. The covers a and b are connected by the hinged bars d cl, that are united together at e, and by the joint plates g g, to the respective covers a b. There is to be a pair of these hinged bars at both the top and bottom ends of the covers ct b, and also two of these pairs of bars and their joints at the back of the file, so that the covers can be drawn apart or forced toward each other, and these bars serve to insure a `nearly parallel motion in opening the le or closing the same, and also to support the contents ofthe iile and prevent the binder slipping out at either end or the back.

The hinged bars d d at the backof the book may be positioned as shown in Fig. 2 in full lines, or as shown by dotted lines in the'same ligure. v

The sheets l may have index or number tags attached to the edges, as shown in Fig. 3, and the back edge folded so. as to be double to obtain the necessary strength. These sheets are perforated with holes t' t', and these correspond in position with holes in the strips m of strong paper. These strips are coated with mucilage or other adhesive material, as at 2 2, Fig. 4,

so as to be employed in attaching letters or papers by moistening the mucilage. In this mode of `attachment but little ofthe paper is covered by the strip, and the letter or paper can be opened freely for inspection. Y

The holes t' t' corresponding throughout the sheets and strips they can all be attached together by' cords threaded through without the use of an awl; and, if desired, the bundle can be opened for the removal of any paper, or rebound with facility. y An elastic or cord Vmay be applied at h to draw or hold the parts together at the back,

if desired, and I remark that this le is adapted to holding sheets of music either loosely or within an index of sheets or pockets.

I am aware that parallel-motion bars have been applied to a paper-file, but the ends of such bars were received in slots to allow of the motion.

I claim as my invention- 1 1. The hinge-bars d, united by the hinge- `plates g to the covers a b, and applied at the top, bottom, and back of the paper-file, as and for the purposes set forth.

2. The strips m, perforated with holes for the binding-cord, and coated near one edge with adhesive material for attaching the letters or papers, as set forth.

Signed by me this 29th day of January, 1873. Witnesses: LAWSON P. KEECH.

GEO. T. PINGKNEY, CHAs. H. SMITH. 

